NDLEA Seizes N6.5 Billion Worth of Opioids in Port Harcourt and Lagos Seaports
In a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted illegal opioid consignments worth over ₦6.5 billion at two of the country’s busiest ports—the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, and the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the intercepted shipments included more than six million pills of highly potent opioids such as Tamol 225mg, Tapentadol 225mg, Carisoprodol 225mg, and a staggering 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. The combined street value of the seized drugs was pegged at ₦6,524,000,000.00.
This massive seizure is part of ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to cut off the supply chains of drug trafficking networks that continue to target Nigeria as a key distribution hub.
Massive Seizures at Onne and Apapa Ports
The seizures, according to Babafemi, were the result of intelligence-led operations and intensive surveillance of newly discovered trafficking routes used by drug cartels to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria.
Babafemi explained that the two major drug consignments were discovered during a joint examination operation conducted by NDLEA officials in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at the ports. This coordinated effort allowed for the containers, which had been watch-listed, to be subjected to 100 percent scrutiny.
Onne Port, Rivers State: Over Six Million Pills and 162,000 Bottles of Codeine
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, NDLEA operatives uncovered two containers containing a mind-blowing six million pills of dangerous opioids and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup. The discovery took place on Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20, during a meticulous examination carried out jointly with Customs and other security operatives.
Apapa Seaport, Lagos: Another 170,000 Bottles of Codeine
Just days later, at the Apapa Port in Lagos, another watch-listed container was flagged by NDLEA officials. During the inspection conducted on Thursday, May 22, a total of 170,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were found concealed in the shipment.
Codeine syrup, widely abused by young people in Nigeria, is a highly addictive opioid that has been linked to serious public health issues, including addiction, mental health disorders, and in some cases, death due to overdose.
NDLEA Busts Airport Drug Syndicate with British and Nigerian Nationals
While the ports were under surveillance, another significant drug trafficking attempt was thwarted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. This time, it involved a transnational drug smuggling syndicate that included both British and Nigerian nationals.
NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects—two British nationals identified as Mhizha Tatendra and Ayedipe Adejuwon, and two Nigerian accomplices, Shonowo Imole and Ofuoma Ayobami—who attempted to smuggle 92 bags of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 51.1 kilograms into Nigeria.
Qatar Airways Flight from Doha Triggers NDLEA Surveillance
According to Babafemi, the syndicate's activities were already under surveillance based on processed intelligence. One of the suspects, identified only as Alexander, was flagged by NDLEA officers upon arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on Thursday, May 15.
Rather than intercept him immediately, NDLEA operatives employed a controlled delivery technique, allowing Alexander to pass through the airport's security checkpoint. They discreetly monitored him as he proceeded to the airport car park, where he was met by Adejuwon (a Nigerian-British national), along with Imole and their driver, Ayobami, who were waiting in a black SUV to receive the smuggled cargo.
As the suspects attempted to exit the parking area, NDLEA agents swooped in and apprehended all four, along with the drug-laden bags found inside the vehicle.
Confessions and Further Investigations
During interrogation, Alexander confessed to NDLEA officials that he was recruited during a recent vacation and had been promised a payment of £1,300 upon successful delivery of the cannabis consignment in Lagos.
On the other hand, the suspected kingpin, Ayedipe Adejuwon, revealed that he had entered Nigeria a day earlier via Ghana after departing from South Africa, where he is believed to have coordinated the shipment logistics.
Lekki Apartment Raided: More Evidence Recovered
Following their arrests, NDLEA officers conducted a follow-up operation at the suspects’ apartment in Lekki, a high-end suburb of Lagos. The search led to the recovery of:
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₦93,000 in cash
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17,200 South African Rand
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₦3,810,500 hidden inside the apartment
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A high-end Apple laptop
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An iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Four canisters of laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide), another increasingly abused substance among Nigerian youths.
NDLEA’s Determination to Crush Drug Networks
The NDLEA has intensified efforts in recent months to combat Nigeria’s growing drug crisis. The agency’s Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), has emphasized the importance of intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic surveillance in dismantling drug trafficking networks.
The latest seizures are part of a broader campaign to target both the supply and distribution networks of narcotics in Nigeria. By tracking the international origins of these drug shipments and collaborating with foreign law enforcement agencies, the NDLEA is positioning itself as a leading force in West Africa’s anti-narcotics fight.
Implications for Nigeria’s Drug Crisis
These operations underscore the scale and sophistication of drug trafficking in Nigeria. From opioids and cannabis to synthetic drugs like codeine syrup and nitrous oxide, drug abuse is wreaking havoc on the nation's youth and healthcare system.
The fact that the shipments were intercepted at strategic entry points—the seaports and the airport—shows how cartels are adapting their methods, shifting trafficking routes, and deploying foreign nationals to avoid detection.
It also highlights the urgent need for public awareness campaigns, community support systems, and rehabilitation centers to complement law enforcement efforts.
Final Thoughts
The NDLEA’s seizure of drugs worth ₦6.5 billion within one week is a remarkable milestone in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking. The successful operations at Port Harcourt and Apapa seaports, coupled with the airport drug syndicate bust, show that with adequate intelligence, resources, and inter-agency cooperation, Nigeria can and will win this war.
As Femi Babafemi continues to inform the public through timely updates, it’s clear that the NDLEA is not only intercepting drugs—but also sending a strong message to traffickers: Nigeria is no longer an easy target.
